Food allergy?

Hello,
Recently I went to see a gastric specialist because I had severe abdominal swelling and my GP suspected celiac disease. Well a quick look with a camera showed that I didn't have that but I did have severe inflammation. I knew that I have a problem with wheat sometimes so the consultant advised me to give it up completely and see what happened. Result - my swollen tummy subsided.

I've been avoiding all wheat for a couple of months now and I've noticed other changes too. I usually have eczema (I have a milk allergy that causes it but it never totally goes) and I've had acne since I was very young. Both the eczema and the acne have cleared up, and now I wonder how much of the acne was really just a different type of eczema.

Now it seems I have a problem with oats too. I bought some very pure (and expensive ones) to see if it might be contamination during the milling process but I still get a reaction. After eating some, I have developed a rash on my neck below my ears, in exactly the same place that I get a rash after eating wheat. The same rash usually turns up on my back and around my face around my hairline. But the stomach problems haven't happened.

Does this ring any bells with anyone? Does this sound like a food intolerance? Are wheat and oats related in some way that could account for this? I would be very grateful for any help with this. I don't want to restrict my diet any more than I really have to, it's hard enough avoiding dairy and wheat, but I don't understand what's going on.

Unless you bought "certified gluten free oats," you are eating gluten, which could most definitely cause a reaction like you had. When you say you are avoiding all wheat, are you just avoiding "wheat" or are you avoiding gluten?

The oats are certified gluten-free. At the moment, I'm not sure what I'm reacting to so I'm avoiding all foods that might contain gluten, just in case.

In the past, I've eaten porridge (with I like) for breakfast but it would have a strange effect, so that on day one I'd eat a full bowl, by day three I'd be full after half that and by the end of the week, I'd be full after just a couple of spoonfuls. I hoped that gluten-free oats wouldn't do this. And they have definitely caused the rash. So is there another link between wheat and oats besides gluten?

Hi. It's really important that you check it with your doctor because although many people have adverse reactions to certain foods, most are caused by a food intolerance and not a food allergy. Food intolerance can cause some of the same signs and symptoms as a food allergy, so people often confuse the two. The best is really to see your doctor. I've had experience mistaking food intolerance with food allergy before, and my friend recommended "Histame" capsules and it really helped me a lot. It relieved me of the headaches, and other symptoms that caused me too much discomfort. You can check with your doctor about it. This is just a suggestion. Your doctor's still the best to ask.

Read my post about my trip to the allergist. I have a milk allergy and am allergic to beef , tuna, and peanuts. I was told most people who have a milk allergy have a beef allergy. Something to check out.

Also did your Doctors do any blood tests on you for Celiac? Are you on any medications? I was on Janumet and it caused me to have Celiac symptoms. I am off it now.